A/N: YES HELLO LONG TIME NO SEE. Sorry about disappearing for a bit, I got major writer's block. I'm still kinda going through it so idk how frequent updates will be, so sorry in advance if I disappear again :( In the end, I think it's better for me to be slow with updates rather than forcing myself to write, otherwise I'll get sick of this story lol. I was rereading to get my motivation back and I was a bit unhappy with the pacing in the past few chapters, so I may focus on editing those before a new chapter.

As an FYI I do tend to post art/updates on my twitter FridaysHate, so feel free to check there. Regardless, thank you for your patience and hope you enjoy reading!

Misa Misa giggled, posing as the photographer snapped some more pics. Her smile was angelic, innocent - but her mind was turmoil. She couldn't stop thinking about Kira - and that damned Anti-Kira.

Everyone was hailing the Anti-Kira as a hero - but that bastard had brought her worst nightmare back to life. Did that fool not realise they were undoing all of Kira's hard work? Criminals were roaming the earth once again.

The murderer who had killed her family was back. The murderer who had tried to kill her was back. The thought of it made Misa sick with rage. She collapsed, pulling her hands through her hair.

Her shinigami, Rem, hovered protectively by her shoulder.

"I'm going to kill that Anti-Kira," Misa giggled.

"Misa…" Rem reached out a hand.

Misa continued to laugh. She would get in contact in with Kira, help them kill the Anti Kira, and they'd fall in love! A perfect, fairytale ending.

"Come on, Rem," she clapped, her smile growing. "We've got work to do!"

"I am Kira."

That voice caught the attention of everyone around the world. Kira's name appeared on the screen, their voice distorted and twisted. They were on every TV channel.

"It can't be!" an executive shouted.

"Kira asked us to play these tapes," another replied. "If it's really them, then…!"

The Sakura TV members looked at each other.

"At least the police force have the tapes now," one of them said, "if they'll be able to do anything…"

And thus, the police force gathered around the screens, watching intensely. Not all of them were present, but that was fine. It was being broadcast across television, after all.

Kira's voice continued on. "If this video is being aired on April 18th at exactly 5:59 PM as I requested, please change the channel to Taiyou TV, where their news anchor Kazuki will die of a heart attack at exactly 6PM."

"Change it," L ordered.

And so, the channel was changed to Taiyou TV. Just as Kira said, the news anchor was dead, hands clutched over his heart.

"I will present you with another victim," Kira continued, "he too has dared speak up against Kira, and will die of a heart attack on live broadcast."

"Change the channel," L repeated.

And just as Kira said, another reporter was dead.

"Get Sakura TV on the line!" Matsuda gasped.

"People of the world, please listen to me," Kira spoke. "All I want to do is create a peaceful world ruled by benevolence. I do not wish to harm innocent people, and I see the police as my allies. That's why you have to understand… the Anti-Kira is your enemy."

L drew closer to the screen.

"They are doing nothing but keeping the status quo," Kira continued. "Because of them… this world is stagnant. Lifeless, dead, and full of evil. Anti-Kira, I know you are watching this. You really believe you're a hero for undoing my hard work, but in reality, you're the biggest fool of them all. Before long, I will find you."

"Kira, huh?"

Now the situation was getting even messier. Light furrowed his brow, shaking his head. He had enough problems with that Anti-Kira. He didn't need another person running around with Kira powers.

Though, he had to wonder… how would the Anti-Kira react to this? Another player had entered the game.

He tapped his fingers together, while Ryuk laughed and laughed. At least someone was having fun.

Does that mean someone else could possibly become the Anti-Kira? Light thought. Damn it all to Hell… two Anti-Kiras would be the worst case scenario.

That was all the reason he needed to kill the Anti-Kira before it was too late.

Perhaps he could use the 2nd Kira to his advantage…

Soichiro groaned, eyeing over the broadcast. His wife squeezed his arm.

"Honey, please, you must rest," she pleaded. "It's almost 3am…"

"I know," he sighed, "but I'm still the captain of the police force. I need to study this…"

He thought about his children once again. He didn't want them to stay involved with Kira anymore. He wished he could tell them now, but his eyes were closing. Sachiko sighed, leading her husband to the bedroom. As soon as he hit the bed, he was out.

Sayu was not at home. She spent so much time at her friend's house. Of course Sachiko was glad her daughter was spending time with her friends, but she hoped she wasn't trying to avoid her family.

As for Light… he seemed normal enough, but Sachiko was not foolish enough to believe nothing was wrong. It was the little things, and little things were slipping through.

She was not sure which of her children concerned her more, honestly. She tried to sleep, but the anxiety overpowered her mind.

Light blinked. He and L eyed each other, that usual dangerous tension surrounding them. They were inside the police's break room. Light tilted his head, remembering his first encounter with L…

"I'm L."

Light blinked. Was this guy serious? No way would L just show up and casually reveal himself, right?

The two were at To-Oh, sitting next to each other inside the uni's hall. The exam would begin momentarily. Students passed them in droves, oblivious to the thick tension between the two students.

L was a dreary looking man - pale skin, heavy eyebags, unbrushed hair, in contrast to Light's well-groomed manner. He was hunched, whereas Light stood tall. The young men were in two different worlds, appearance wise.

Ryuk was snickering. Light ignored him, tilting his head, curiously.

"L, huh?" he asked. "I've got to say… I'm a fan."

"You're Light Yagami, aren't you?" L asked, offering a hand. "Son of Police Chief Soichiro Yagami."

"That's me," Light shook his hand.

"I saw your test scores," L told him, "not too shabby. You've earned your place for this exam."

"'Not too shabby'?" Light raised his brow.

He's really playing with fire now…

"We could use you to help us track down Kira and the Anti Kira," L brushed over his retort.

Who does this guy think he is? Light hid his scowl. Perhaps he really is L after all, judging by his arrogance.

"And why should I believe you're really L?" Light asked. "For all I know… you're Kira trying to trick me."

"You're as observant as your father says," L replied. "A useful ally indeed."

The two were eye to eye. Tensions grew thicker. Light brushed his hair over his forehead: no need for hostility, not yet.

I'll play your game, L. Just for the moment.

"If you're truly L," Light replied, "then I'd be honoured to help."

"As I thought," L mused.

The two shook hands.

"If I may pry, Light, I'm assuming you already have suspicions about the Anti-Kira's identity," he said.

And Light's smirk grew.

"… I do," he said. "In fact… I think it's you."